CREASE CONTROL: Princeton High girls’ hockey senior goalie Callie Urisko guards the crease in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, Urisko came up big on the program’s annual Senior Night, making 35 saves as PHS defeated Pingry 6-4. Senior forward Isabelle Sohn tallied three goals and an assist to trigger the offense for the Little Tigers in the victory. PHS, now 2-8, hosts Portledge School (N.Y.) on February 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

When Callie Urisko joined the Princeton High girls’ hockey team in the winter of 2012-13 as a rookie goalie, she had a lot to learn about the position.

“I could not get down to the ice freshman year so I definitely had to work on the butterfly and my glove,” said Urisko.

Urisko kept plugging away, developing into a mainstay for the program as a three-year starter between the pipes.

“I feel with the coach’s help, I have improved a lot over the course of the four years,” said Urisko, reflecting on her progress. “I have never done any goaltending clinics, I have just learned on my own.”

Last Wednesday, Urisko showed her improvement and her ability to move in the crease, diving all over the place to make 41 saves in a 5-4 loss to Summit.

“I just tried to keep my eye on the puck and stay concentrated,” said Urisko.

“I didn’t want to let the score get me down so it was just keep my head in the game. I do whatever I can to keep the puck out of the net.”

As Urisko hit the ice for the contest, which was for the State Cup as PHS and Summit are the only two New Jersey public high girls’ teams, she was primed to do her best.

“Our captains pumped us up in the locker room,” said Urisko. “We all went around and did our goals; I said I am going to try to stop as many pucks as I could and I tried to do that.”

Urisko stopped everything in the first period as PHS jumped out to a 2-0 lead over Summit. The Hilltoppers, who had defeated the Little Tigers 7-2 in early December, responded by outscoring PHS 3-1 in the second period to make it a 3-3 game. The Little Tigers fell behind 4-3 early in the third but tied the game at 4-4 on a goal by Sydney Rubin. Summit tallied the game-winner with 3:05 left in regulation.

“I was definitely really tired but I tried to dig deep,” said Urisko, reflecting on the topsy-turvy game.

“We just talked a lot about it in the locker room and we just said keep our heads in the game and don’t let the score affect us. We just have to keep pushing and do the best we can.”

Two nights later, the Little Tigers pushed hard as they defeated Pingry 6-4 at Baker Rink on the program’s annual Senior Night, with senior Isabelle Sohn tallying three goals and an assist to trigger the offense as PHS improved to 2-8.

“We definitely want to come out with a win Friday, we are all getting prepared for that,” said Urisko, as she looked forward to the game that saw her record 35 saves in the winning effort.

With PHS hosting the Portledge School (N.Y.) on February 4 before it heads into the ‘B’ bracket of the WIHLMA (Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic) tournament, Urisko will be savoring her remaining time with the program.

“It has been amazing, it is definitely my favorite sports team,” said Urisko.

“All the girls are amazing, they are all supportive. We always help each other out. It has definitely been a great experience. We all push each other to the limit.”